Because We're Friends

“That’s the name this human child has given you?” the large owl asked.

What’s going on here? They can speak?

“Yes father, this is the girl I was talking about. She has taken very good care of me while I was out there in the Mortal Realm.”

“I see…” the larger owl boomed before turning its head back to Tatsuko, “turn back little girl. As thanks for taking care of my daughter. I will let you return safely to your home. It’s dangerous here in this realm.”

Father? Tatsuko silently thought. Fukuro has a family here? She’s from the Nightmare Realm?

Hundreds of questions swirled in her mind and she didn’t know what to do. What she did know however, was what she wanted.

“No,” Tatsuko said, “I’m not leaving without my friend.”

She looked up into Fukuro’s eyes.

“We’re supposed to be scouting partners,” she told her. “Let’s go back home together.”

“She is home,” the owl boomed. “The only one who is not, is you.”

“Father please,” Fukuro begged. “Let me go back into the Mortal Realm.”

“You know I cannot allow you to do that. Do you not remember the condition I found you in? Our bodies are not compatible for staying in the Mortal Realm forever. Our two realms are governed by different laws, and our realm feeds off the energy of fear that leaks in from the Mortal Realm when its residents dream. Your body needs the energy that comes from that, otherwise you’ll slowly deteriorate over time. You even started becoming feral, and had you not had the moment of clarity you did to make your way back here, you would’ve died.”

“But… I can just come back and forth,” Fukuro reasoned.

“Foolish child. A resident of the Mortal Realm is here, which means that the portal is going to be shut off as soon as they drag this girl back out. Once you go back out you cannot come back in.”

“Then let me stay outside then.”

“No! The fact that you’re choosing to make a foolish decision like that means you are not ready.”

“But there’s another way isn’t there?” Fukuro protested. “A way in which to make it so that I can stay out there as long as she’s alive?”

The large owl slowly turned its head towards Tatsuko.

“This child is not ready for it. If she dies before she figures out how to do it, then you’re trapped inside the Mortal Realm until you die.”

“What is it?” Tatsuko asked. “Whatever it is, I'm strong enough to do it!”

The owl shook its head.

Fukuro made a glaring expression at him.

“Father… if you don’t allow my friend to prove herself, then the next time a portal opens into the Mortal Realm, I will leave and never come back.”

“WHAT?!” her dad bellowed, “that’s preposterous.”

“Do you really want to try me? I’ve already done it before.”

“You—” her dad stopped and let out an annoyed sigh, “if you go out again, I will not look for you when you enter back through another portal. You will be on your own.”

“No I wouldn’t. I would have Tatsuko with me.”

The giant owl turned its expression coldly towards Tatsuko.

“So that’s her name…” he trailed off and thought for a moment. “If you two are willing to risk it… I suppose I should give you a chance. But first you must prove yourself, child. Prove that you are not weak, and can protect my daughter when she’s in the Mortal Realm.”

The owl then snapped off one of its large claws and kicked it over to Tatsuko.

“I will give you two options. You can either leave now and I will let you go peacefully, or, you can take this claw and my daughter with you, and I will send my flock after you. They’re getting pretty hungry up there and you’re emanating a lot of fear. If you can successfully escape from them, then you can analyze this claw and figure out how to create a pocket dimension into this realm. However, if you die, then my daughter stays here with me. Do you accept these conditions?”

“Why can’t I just take the claw with me and leave?” Tatsuko asked. “I’ll figure out how to do Summoning magic and come back when I’m ready.”

“Because we do not stay in one place forever. One portal to the Nightmare Realm does not take you to the same place as another portal, even if that portal was placed in the same place as the previous portal. This little adventure-for-brains bird here flew out through another portal on the other side of the realm and ended up where you were. We’ve been searching everywhere for her, and got lucky when we spotted another portal open up that just so happened to lead to the exact same city you live in. In other words, if you leave now and they close this portal, then you may never get to see my daughter again.”

Tatsuko clenched her first.

There were so many birds around her, circling the skies above as if preparing to dive down on their prey at any moment.

“Give me a one minute headstart,” she said.

The owl sighed.

“5 seconds,” he said.

“30”

“10”

“15?”

“10.”

“Okay…” Tatsuko said, picking up the claw on the ground.

I suppose that’s better than nothing, she thought.

Fukuro flew towards Tatsuko and sat on her shoulder as her father said, “Don't come crying to me when that shoulder turns into a corpse.”

Tatsuko began to dart off in the direction back to the portal, while Fukuro started counting down in order to give Tatsuko an accurate time frame before the attack.

“5 seconds,” she said.

At this point, Tatsuko had run a good distance, but she knew it wasn’t enough. It would give her a nice headstart, but the birds here were not normal and so she suspected that they would catch up eventually. Still, it was better than having to fight them, and the only condition that Fukuro’s father gave was that she had to survive.

“...2…1…0… Don’t look back, Tatsuko.” Fukuro said.

Tatsuko tried her best to take her advice, but the thunderous flapping of the wings was hard to ignore, and so she began to pluck out a few throwing daggers and prepare to fire it at them.

When she turned around however, she felt her legs begin to wobble.

That flock of birds… it’s bigger than before!

Trying her best not to tremble, she steadied her aim and began tossing her daggers at the swarm. Some of them dropped to the ground, while others ignored it and continued charging. The futility of the sight before caused her to lose her balance, and she tripped on the ground.

Crap! I’m going to die! I’m going to die! I’m going to die! She thought in her mind, but a sudden flash of raging fire blew past her face, and when she looked up, she was nearly brought to tears from relief.

“Yoruhi…” she murmured, tears welling up in her eyes.

Her brother stood before her with a concentrated look in his eyes. Behind him, Ryuji stepped forth and drew out his katana, ready to attack anything that got too close.

“You guys came back… even though I said those mean things…” she cried.

“Of course. We’re friends after all.” Yoruhi said, channeling balls of fire around him.

“Save your apologies for Altair. She’s the one you hurt the most,” Ryuji said, “now get behind me.”